Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-06-24
a REMARKABLE DOG.
What Big Mastin DID for Ills Car
dem Loving Master


dem Loving Master
Mr.. Harold Dollner, Il native of Den
mark. and for many years consul gen
eral of Denmark in New York city,
says writer i'm The Christian AdCO-
cate and portion of the time acting
minister for that kingdom. and well
known TO business men rs the head OF
the firm of Dollncr, Potter az Co., Of
New York, for many years resided in
Brooklyn in a mansion Of the old
style. situated on Washington avenue,
in the midst of what, for a city. are
large grounds. He always took a great
tables and in the heart of the city
raised the very finest pumpkins. He
also kept two or three dogs-one a
house-dog. another of the spaniel varie-
ty, and the third powerful mastiff.
The mastiff was always chained near
the stable, and not far from the rear
entrance to the premises.
In certain autumn the pumpkins
which were produced in Mr.. Dollner's
garden were of such extraordinary size
and beauty that they excited the cupidi-
ty OF person, who stole two of the
largest of them and took them to the
horticultural exhibition, where he en-
tered them as his own, and actually
took the premium for them. This so
raised Mr. Dollner's Indignation that
he instructed his gardner TO take of the
largest of those which remained and
deposite them in the cellar. lest they
also should be stolen. At the same time
he told him TO set the mastilf loose. SO
that if anybody else came in at night
to steal the pumpkins the dog would
attack him. Pursuant to this order the
gardner worked all the afternoon TAX
ing off the finest of the pumpkins,
which he carried one by one, piling
Them near the cellar door until he had
finished, when he conveyed them into
the cellar. About sunset he unclaimed
the mastif.
This dog had watched the perform
ance of the gardener, and during the
night it knawed off the largest of
the remaining pumpkins and carried
them one by one to the cellar door,
where he piled them up and stood
guard over them until the next morning.
when, as the cook arose and opened
the door, with an expression of great
delight, the animal wagged his tail,
looked up for appreciation, and went
away. The next night no knawed of
everything from the size Of i haze!nut
upward. and carried them TO the cellar
door - before. A few days afterward,
when the person suspected of having
stolen the pumpkins, who had always
been friendly with him, entered, the
mastilf Sprang upon him with the ut.
most rage.
Mr.. Dollner was iiving when We
wrote the above. 1t was then sent TO
him with request that he would GER
tify to its truth if he could, or alter it
till he could conscientiously attest it.
A few weeks before his death we re-
ceived our last communication from
him:
No. 2j9 WASHINGTON AVENUE, BEooKLrN,
= II, lSS6.-I certify that the account given 10y
DR.. Buckley Of my pumpkins and my dog is
true in every particular HAROLD DoLLSER.'
1t is plain that the mastiif had never
seen such an operation before. He
therefore must have comprehended it
by an effort of the mind, held it through
the entire night, worked upon it, con-
templated it as completed act, AMI
surrendered the pumpkins to the fami-
ly when they arose. Yet of course lie
failed to comprehend the reason or to
dstingu sh the value of the ripe from
the unripe pumpkins. He also con-
nected the man who had in his sight
stolen the pumpkins with the deed.
At the time this was told TO the Writ
er there were six witnesses living
the gardner, two servants i'll the house.
and the owner of the establishment.
his wife, and their son.